Airbus-sponsored Ang’elles earn their “wings”

The all-women parachuting team has proven its capabilities in international competitions

A world-class parachuting squad requires many of the same qualities that have driven Airbus’ success around the globe: precision, focus and a great team spirit.

This is according to Pascale Dumarcet, who is perfectly-positioned to compare the two activities: she’s a design office engineer working at Airbus in Toulouse, France; as well as a member of the company-sponsored Ang’elles all-women parachuting team that is earning accolades at style and accuracy competitions around the world.

"The sport has a small margin of error."

Pascale Dumarcet, Airbus engineer and Ang’elles team member

Airbus has sponsored the all-women Ang’elles parachute team, which competes under the aegis of the French Skydiving Federation, since 2016

“The sport has a small margin of error,” said Dumarcet, whose recent activity includes contributions to 3D digitalisation of company’s A330 widebody airliner for use in everything from design, production to in-service maintenance and support. “In our skydiving competitions, to cleanly land at the designated position we must simultaneously manage varying wind velocities, thermals and more while freefalling from an altitude of some 2,200 meters.”

Ahead of the competition

Dumarcet – who began parachuting competitively as a youngster and returned to competition three years ago while at Airbus – is one of nine women currently on the Ang’elles team, which competes under the aegis of the French Skydiving Federation. Airbus has sponsored the squad since 2016.

The Ang’elles’ latest successes came at the 35th FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) World Freefall Style and Accuracy Landing Championships, held late last month in Bulgaria. During the week-long event, Deborah Ferrand earned the gold medal in “Individual Accuracy,” while her teammate Leocadie Ollivier De Pury took silver in the “Individual Style” category.

At such international competitions, the Ang’elles can compete as a five-person team (with members selected by the French Skydiving Federation). During the FAI event in Bulgaria, they also won a pair of bronze medals for “Team Accuracy” and “Overall Female Team.”